Advertising sign



July 5, 1932. E. RAvEs ADvERTxsING SIGN Filed June 18, 1951 -Sheets- Sheet 1 y INV ENTUR EIDNHHDRQV E s ELT TURN m5- nu. IWEHMH July 5, 1932. E. RAvEs ADVERTISING SIGN vFiled June 18, 1931 AV l I5 Sheets- Sheet 2 INVENT m11 EDWARD RENE: E

July 5, 1932. E. RAvEs ADVERTISING SIGN 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 TIIL Filed June 18, 1931 lilI I, INVENTDR /EDWHHDEQVEE QT T URN m5 CII Patented July 5, 1932 STATES PATENT oFFIcr.

EDWARD RAVES, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND FIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO LEAVES MANUFACTURING GO., LTD., OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFOR- NIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA ADVERTISING SIGN Application filed .Tune 18,

This invention relates to advertising signs, and has for an object the provision of an advertising sign of novel design and of highly attractive appearance, which sign is provided with a plurality of interchangeable legendbearing areas and means for bringing these areas successively into view, so that the subject matter of the sign is changed at preferably regular intervals, thereby making it possible to advertise a plurality of different commodities or the like, or to expose successively a plurality of legends relating to a single commodity.

Another object is to provide a changeable sign as described, which is so constructed that the change from one legend to another is effected by the rapid rotation of the several sections or panels of which each legendbearing area is composed, the result being that during each period of interchange, the sign presents to view a large number of rapidly moving objects, and an apparently heterogeneous mixture of iiashing colors, which suddenly develop into a motionless, continuous surface bearing a suitable design and/or legend with the result that the sign is capable of attracting the maximum amount of attention and interest from persons whose fields of vision include the sign.

A further obj ect is to provide an advertising sign having the above described characteristics, which is capable of being embodied in a plurality of styles and sizes, the particular' object in view being to adapt the sign for use upon display counters, merchants shelves, and in display windows; or in a larger size permitting the sign of the present invention to be used for roadside advertising or in commanding locations upon the tops of buildings and the like.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of 'the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of an advertising sign embodying the principles of 1931. Serial No. 545,205.

the present invention, and showing the sign With the casing removed, so as to illustrate better the operative parts.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken medially through one of the units of the sign upon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated.` A portion of the figure is broken away to reduce its length.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 5 is a detail view in vertical section, taken upon the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated, to show the releasable means for interconnecting the panels with their supporting clamps.

Fig. 6 is a detail view in vertical section taken upon the line 6-6 of Figs. 2 and 3, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig.v 7 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal section taken upon the line 7-7 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal section taken upon the line 8-8 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinalvertical sectional view taken through the drive shaft for all the rotors and the associated portions of the device. Portions of the figure are broken away to reduce its size.

Fig. 10 is anenlarged vertical sectional view taken upon the line 10--10 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken upon the line 11-11 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated. y

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken upon the line 12-12 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated. n

Fig. 13 is a reduced detail view in rear elevation of the gears for operating the drive shaft, and the drive sleeve associated therewith. The direction of view is indicated by the arrow 13 of Fig. 12.

In terms of broad inclusion, the sign of the present invention comprises plurality of rotors journaled for rotation about parallel axes on a suitable frame. Each rotor carries a plurality of panels, and is so arranged with respect to the other rotors that they may all be brought to rest with one or more of the panels of each rotor in planar alinement with the corresponding panel or panels of the remaining rotors, and in contiguity thereto, so as to present a common front upon which appears a suitable design and/or legend to convey the desired intelligence whereby the device serves as an eflicient advertising medium. After a certain legend has been presented to view for a predetermined length of time, the rotors all turn and the panels of each rotor also are caused to turn, and are subsequently broughtto rest with a different set of panels or the opposite side of the same panels, exposed to view, and all cooperating together so as to present a different design and/ or legend.

That embodiment of my improved sign which has been selectedfor the purpose of illustration and description is a relatively small model intended for use upon display counters, shelves, or within display windows. Hence I prefer that the frame 16 of the sign be supported by means of a pedestal 17 comprising a foot plate 18 and a supporting spin dle 19 having a ball and socket joint 21 thereu in which permits the frame 16 to be tilted to any7 desired angle within limits, so as to attain the utmost visibility of the sign. After the adjustment has been attained, the ball and socket joint 21 may be tightened by means of the bolts 22 which extend through the opposed flanges 23 joining the two sections of the socket portion and clamping them against the ball of the joint 21, as will readily be understood.

The frame 16 comprises a lower bar 26, vertical end members 27 and 28 extending upwards from the ends of the lower bar 26, and an upper bar 29. Preferably, the upper bar 29 is adjustable to permit variation in the effective height of the frame 16, and for this reason the upper bar is provided with rods 31 extending rigidly downwards from the ends thereof to be slidably received within vertical. slots 32 in the end members 27 and 28 to guide the upper bar 29 and hold it in proper alinement with the lower bar 26. The upper bar 29 is held at selected elevation by insertion of the proper number of spacing blocks 33 between the upper ends of the end members 27, 28 and the ends of the upper bar 29. Cap screws 34 or similar fastenin means are then extended through the ends of the upper bar 29 and blocks 33, and threaded into the upper ends of the end members 27, 28 to hold the parts rigidly together.

Upon the lower bar 26 of the frame 16 a plurality of regularly spaced extensions 36 are formed, each of these extensions 36 being in l slightly wider than the grippi alinement with an extension 87 of the upper bar 29. Each pair of alined extensions 36 and 37 carries rotor, indicated in its entirety at 38, and inasmuch as all the rotors 38 are of the same construction, it will suffice for the purpose of the present disclosure to describe but one of them. Each rotor 38 comprises a central shaft 41 composed of preferably aX- ially alined, solid sections 42 and 43, and a telescopic, tubular section 44, which permits variation in the effective length of the entire shaft 41, it being understood that after the desired adjustment has been attained a pin 46 or other suitable fastening means is eX- tended through suitably positioned holes 47 in tie telescopic section 44. This feature, taken in conjunction with the expansibility of the frame 16 as described hereinabove, permits variation in the siZe of thev legendbearing areas of the sign, without having to make any alteration in the construction of the sign other than to increase or decrease the number of spacing blocks 33 used to hold the upper bar 29 of the frame 16 at the proper elevation.

rlhe shaft 41 of the rotor 88 caiies upper and lower heads 48 and 49, respecti rely', wh:y -ch are rigid therewith, andL which are therefore caused to turn when-ever the shaft 41 is turned. Each of these heads 48, 49 cav 'ies a plurality, preferably four, clamps 51 ournaled for rotation about spaced at equal radial distances from the anis of shaft 41 and at equal angular separation thereabout. Hence, if there are four clam as 51 on each head 48, 49, they will be separated by o of arc and disposed in a circle which has the axis of the shaft 41 passing 'through its center. Each of the clamps 51 of the upper head 48 coinprises a pin 52 journaled in a suitable socket 53 in the head 48 and carrying at its lower end a gripping member 54 which extends laterally upon opposite sides of the pin A groove is formed in the under surface of the gripping member 54 to receive the upper end of a. panel 57. which jrefe'ablv is nenibez 4. A flat portion 58 of theY pin 52 Ytends into the groove 56 to be received within a complementary socket 59 in the upper end of the panel 57 so as to prevent the panel from moving laterally with respect to the gripping member 54. Preferably, a screw 61 or its equivalent extends through the associated socket 5?) of the head 48, so as to dispose the head 62 of the screw thereabove and under an arm 63 of a plate spring 64, the central. portion of which .is rigidly mounted upon the upper, solid section 48 of the shaft 41, with the result that the screw 61 and pin 52 of each clamp 51 is continually pressed downwards so as to prevent inadvertentdisplacement of the upper end of the panel 5'? from the groove 56 of the gripping member Each of the clamps 51 carried by the lower clamps 51 are journaled in the upper head 10 48 merely for idling rotation, the pins 67 of the lower clamps 51 are adapted to be rotated in planetary motion about the axis of the shaft 41 when the rotor 38 turns. 1For this purpose each of the pins 67 of lower clamps 51 is provided with a` planetary gear 68 which is rigid therewith, and which is enmeshed with a central or master gear 69 which is rigidly mounted below the lower head 49 in coaxial arrangement with respect to the shaft 41. Hence, the lower solid portion 42 of the shaft 41 extends rotatably through the center of the master gear Preferably, the master gear 69 is adjustably held stationary through the expedient of a sleeve 71 which is riveted or otherwise rigidly attached to the gear 69, and which extends downwards therefrom to be engaged by split clamp 72 encircling the sleeve 71 and provided with a screw 73 engaging extensions 74 from the two sides of the split clamp, so that by tightening the screw 7 3 the clamp- 72 may be tightened against the sleeve 71. This clamp 7 2 is of noncircular exterior configuration, and lits relatively closely against the associated extension 36 of the lower bar 26 of the frame 16, so that it is held against rotation. Consequently, when the clamp 72 is tightened, the associated 69 also is positively held against rotation, although the sha-ft 41 is free to rotate with respect thereto. Thus it may be seen that .vhen the shaft 41 is rotated the engagement of the planetary gears 68 carried by the lower head 49 are caused to rotate in planetary motion about the axis about which the rotor itself is turning, and inasmuch as the panels 57 are carried by these rotating lower clamps 51 and the upper idling clamps 51, the panels will kbe caused to rotate in planetary motion as the rotor turns. Moreover, the planetary 68 are of considerably smaller diameter than the master gear 69 (see Fig. 3), with the result that the panels 57 are caused to rotate at a relatively high rate of speed. Preferably,

the

they rotate through one and one-half or two.

and one-half complete turns each time the rotor 38 makes a quarter turn.

The shaft 41 of each rotor is journaled in preferably adjustable bearings 76 and 77 carried in horizontal slots 78 and 7 9, respectively, in the extensions 36 and 37, respectively, of the frame 16. Each of these bearings is provided with a thread-ed pin 81 having a nut 82 thereon, whereby the bearings 76 may be moved into accurate axial alinement with each other and there retained.

Inasmuch as it is intended that two panels 57 of each rotor 38 shall be presented in planar alinement with the corresponding panels of all the other rotors 38 of the sign, and inasmuch as it is desired to have these alined panels closely contiguous with each other so as to present a substantially continuous, flat surface 86 whereupon a suitable legend 87 and/or design may be marked, l prefer that the spacing between the axes of the shafts 41 of the several rotors 38 shall be substantially equa-l to the width of two panels 57. Accordingly, the spacing between the axes about which the rotors turn is less than the diameter Aof the circle described by the outermost portion of each rotor when it turns. Hence, the panels of adjacent rotors move in intersecting paths, and it is desirable to have each alternate rotor 38 turn slightly in advance of the intervening rotors, so as to permit the panels 57 of these alternate rotors to move out of the way of the panels 57 of the intervening rotors. This is accomplished by the mechanism, the description of which appears hereinbelow.

In the modication illustrated, five rotors 38 are employed, it being understood, however, that any desired number of rotors may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the second and fourth rotors from either end of the sign are caused to rotate slightly in advance of the first, third, and fifth rotors. All the rotors 38 are turned by means of a suitable motor 88 provided with a worm speed reduction 89 which is connected by gears 91 and 92 to a longitudinally extending drive shaft 93 which is journaled pref erably just below the lower bar 26 of the frame 16. A countershaft 94 also extends longitudinally of the frame 16, and is connected to the drive shaft 93 through the expedient of a gear 95 rigid with the countershaft 94 and a sector gear 96 carri-ed by the dri've shaft 93. The sector gear 96 is provided with teeth extending through a suilicient extent of the periphery thereof to cause the driven gear 95 to rotate through a quarter turn each time the toothed portion of the sector gear 96 is rotated past the point of interengagement of the gears 95 and 96. I have found it desirable to provide shortened teeth 97 upon the gear 95 at intervals about its periphery, these shortened teeth 97 being so spaced that one of them is brought substantially into the point of tangency of the gears 95 and 96 just as the last end of the toothed portion of the sector gear 96 arrives at the point of tangency, the purpose being to insure that the drive shaft 94 ceases rotating accurately at the proper time. Tere these shortened teeth 97 of the same length as the remaining teeth of the gea-r 95, there 1. n ,to

might be a possibility that they would be engaged by the relatively slight shoulder 98 on the gear 96, which follows the toothed portion of that gear, causing the gear 95 to be rotated beyond the desired position. However, on account of the fact that these teeth 97 are shortened, they cannot be engaged by the shoulder 98, but they will be engaged by the first full size tooth of the sector gear 96 when that full size tooth has completed another full revolution. Thus it may be seen that when the motor 88 is energized the shaft 93 is continuously rotated thereby, whereas the drive shaft 94 is turned intermittently, the extent of turning during each operation being only one quater of a complete turn.

The countershaft 94 is operably connected to the shaft 41 of each alternate rotor 38, say, for example, the first, third, and fifth rotors from the left end of th-e machine, as viewed upon Fig. 1. The means of interconnection comprises bevel gears 99, 100, and 101 rigid with the shafts 41 of the rst, third, and fifth rotors, respectively. These gears 99, 100, and 101 are enmeshed with bevel gears 102, 103, and 104, respectively, which are rigidly mounted upon the countershaft 94, with the result that each time a quarter turn is imparted to the countershaft 94, the first, third, and fifth rotors 38 will be rotated simultane ously, and also through a quarter turn, inasmuch as the enmeshed gears of each pair are of the same pitch diameter.

The i1itmvenin0' rotors 38, namely, the second and fourth rotors, are also provided with means for rotating them, but slightly in advance of the time which the first, third, and fifth rotors are turned. Bevel gears 106 and 10.7 are provided upon the shafts 41 of the second and fourth rotors, respectively, and these gears are enmeshed by gears 108 and 109, respectively, which in turn are carried by sleeves 111 and 112, respectively, which are rotatably mo-unted upon the countershaft 94. These sleeves 111 and 112 are adapted to be rotated by Vgears 113 and 114, each of which is similar -to the gear 95 of the drive shaft 94.

i The gear 113 of the sleeve 111 is adapted to be driven by a sector gear 116 (see Fig. -3), and the gear 114 by a sector gear 11.7 (see 11). These two sector gears 116 and 117 are identical with the sector gear 96, and are also arranged on the drive shaft 93 with their toothed portions in alinement with each other. However, the sector gears 116 and 117 are fastened to the shaft 93 in advance of the sector gear 96 by an angular distance equal to the circular pitch of the gears, i. e., the sector gears 116 and 117 are set one tooth in advance of? the sector gear 96. This causes the sleeves 111and 1-12 to start to rotate slightly in advance of the time at which the shaft `94 starts to rotate, and accordingly, the second and fourth rotors 3S will begin to turn slightly in advance of the time at which the first, third, and fifth rotors start to turn.

1 also prefer that each alternate rotor 38 turn in the opposite direction from that in which the intervening rotors turn. Hence, the bevel gears 102, 103, and 104 are on one side, say the right side, of their respective associated rotor shafts 41, and the corresponding bevel gears 108 and 109 of the oth-er rotors are on the opposite side of their associated shafts, or on the left side, as shown upon Figs. 1 and 9.

The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the toothed portions of the ector gears pass out of engagement with their respective driven gears 95, 113, and 114, each of the rotors 38 will cease rotating with the four panels 57 thereof arranged in two groups of two panels each, and with the two panels of each group lying in a common plane. Moreover, each two panels 57 of each rotor lie substantially in the plane of the corresponding panels of the other rotors, with the result that the two panels 57 of each rotor 38 which are proximal to the forward side of the sign, cooperate with the corresponding panels 57 of theother rotors 38 in presenting the substantially continuous plane surface 86 upon which the legend and/or design 87 is marked. However, as soon as the drive shaft 93 has rotated far enough to bring the toothed portions of its sector gears 96, 116, and 117 again into engagement with their respective gears 95, 113, and 114, the rotors will again be turned, carrying one of the two panels 57 of cach rotor, which previously was exhibited, to the rear, and carrying one of the panels which previously was at the rear, to the forward part of the sign, and moving the remaining one of the two panels of each rotor which previously was exhibited, to the right or left, as the case might be, so that when it again comes to rest it still will be in the plane occupied by those panels which cooperate in defining the legend-bearing area 86. However, it should be remembered that the panels rotate in planetary motion when the rotors turn; and the planetary gears 68 are so proportioned with respect to the mas ter gear 69 of each rotor that each panel rotates through either one-half a complete revolution, or through any desired number of complete revolutions, plus a half revolution while the associated rotor is turned through a quarter turn, the purpose being to make one side of each panel visible from the front of the machine the first time that panel is disposed among the panels defining the legend-bearing area 86, and to maire the opposite side of that same panel visible the ynext time the panel is disposed among those defining the ylegend-bearing area 86.

Owing to the fact that vit is necessary to so interconnect the various gears of the driving mechanism that there is at least a small amount of play therebetween, I have found it impractical to rely upon the sector gears to release their respective driven gears 95, 113, and 114 at the precise instant which will leave the panels 57 defining the legend-bearing area 86 accurately in planar alinement.

`Hence, I have provided means operable upon completion of the operation of the driving mechanism for leveling or accurately alining all the panels 57 which are exposed at the front of the machine. Another shaft 121 extends longitudinallyT of the sign immediately below the forward edges of the lower heads 49 of the rotors 38, and is ournaled in a plurality of alined brackets 122 rigidly mounted upon and extending forward from the lower bar 26 of the frame 16. An arm 123 is mounted rigidly upon the shaft 116, and inclines downwards and rearwards to position a roller 124 which is carried by the lower end of the arm 118, adjacent the shaft 93 which is continually rotated by means of the motor 88, and which also carries the sector gears. This shaft 93 is also provided with a cam 126 in position to engage the roller 124 of the arm 123, and thus impart rotary motion to the shaft 121. The shaft 121 is provided with presser feet 127 at spaced intervals throughout its length, these feet 127 being so proportioned and arranged that when the shaft 111 is turned in clockwise rotation, as viewed upon Fig. 11, the upper ends of the feet 127 will engage the gripping portions 66 of all the lower clamps 51 of the rotors, and inasmuch as the presser feet 127 are all in planar alinement, this engagement between the presser feet and the clamps will complete the movement of the exposed panels 57 accurately into planar alinement. The cam 126 is so proportioned that the high portion 128 thereof passes out of engagement with the roller 124 just before the toothed portions of the sector gears move into engagement with the gears 95, 113, and 114, permitting a tensile spring 129 to turn the shaft 121 in the reverse direction, and thus withdraw the presser feet 127 from engagement with the panel clamps, leaving them free to be rotated as soon as the sector gears again engage their respective driven gears. However, the low portion 131 of the cam 126 extends throughout sufficient angular distance to cause the roller 124 to be again forced outwards from the shaft 93 just after t-he time that the sector gears complete their rotation of the shaft 94 and the sleeves 111 and 112. The spring 129 is under tension between a suitable portion of the frame 16 and an extension 132 of one of the presser feet 127, as clearly shown upon Fig. 10.

The sign may be operated either as illustrated, with the working parts exposed, or

enclosed within a suitable housing having an opening therein through which may be seen only the forward faces of the panels 57 which dene the legend-bearing area 86 at any given time.

Owing to its connection to the motor 88 by means of the gears 91 and 92, the drive shaft 93 is continuously rotated at uniform speed, causing the sector gears 96, 116, and 117 to engage their respective driven gears 95, 113, and 114 at regular intervals and rotate them through a quarter turn. This will cause the counter shaft 94 and the sleeves 111 and 112 to make a quarter turn, the sleeves starting to move slightly in advance of the shaft, as explained hereinabove. The rotation of the sleeves 111 and 112 causes the second and the panels of the first, third, and fifth rotors before those of the latter group start to move, and in the opposite direction.

As the rotors turn, the panels 57 thereof rotate relatively rapidly in planetary rotation about the axes of their respective rotors. Moreover, the panels rotate relatively rapidly, with the result that the legend and/or design 87 which was being displayed, will be broken up quite suddenly. 'If each of the four legends and/or designs be delineated in colors, I prefer that the corresponding portions of the several advertisements be of different and relatively contrasting colors. This will provide a rapid flashing of a large vnumber of colors, since first one side of each panel and then the other side is visibl-e for only a very brief interval. Moreover, parts of three of the four advertisements are simultaneously visible during this period of interchange, since both sides of all but one panel of each rotor 38 are flashed into view during the change. This produces a more or less kaleidoscopic effect, in which an apparent-ly heterogeneous mixture of rapidly changing colored areas is presented to view. Consequently, the attention of practically every person within whose field of vision the sign is positioned, will be attracted to the sign, even if those persons are not at first looking directly at the sign. Then, when the toothed portions of the sector gears 96, 116. and 117 pass out of engagement with their respective driven gears, the rotors 38 will suddenly come to rest with two panels 57 of each rotor disposed at the front of the sign and lying substantially within the plane o f the corresponding panels of all the other rotors. The visible eect produced is to cause the rapidly changing mixture of meaningless colors and marks which are visible during the period of interchange, to develop suddenly into fthe orderly arrangement of lines and colors, delineating the next of the our advertisements, to Which the attention of the observers has previously been attracted by the rapidly moving parts and flashing colors of the changing sign.

This operation Will be continued indenitely as long as the motor 88 is energized, causing the four advertisements carried by the sign to be flashed successively into View, With the attention-attracting, rapid movement of the panels and the accompanying flashing of a large number of colors during each period of change from one sign to another, Which accounts for the efficiency of the sign of the present invention as 'an advertising medium.

It is to be understood that the ldetails of the invention as herein disclosed, rare subject to alteration Within the spirit or scope yof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A changing sign 'comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors mounted on said frame for rotation about parallel axes, a plurality of panels journaled von each of said rotors, means for turning said rot-ors, means for rotating the panels of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns, and means for accurately alining at least one panel of each rotor with the corresponding panels of the other rotors.

2. A changing sign comprising va frame, a plurality of rotors ournaled thereon for rotation about parallel axes, a set of tour panels journaled on each of said rotors for rotation about axes parallel to and equally radially spaced from the axis 'of the associated rotor, the axes of the panels of each set being angularly spaced by lninety degrees of arc, means for turning said rotors, means for rotating the panels of each rotor 'in planetary motion about the :axis thereof as the rotor turns, and means operable upon completion lof yoperation lof said rotating means 4and engageable with panels of adjacent rotors to move them accurately Yinto alinement.

3. A changing sign comprising -a frame, a plurality of rotors jo-u'rnaled thereon ior rotationabout parallel axes,a set of i-our panels journaledfon each of said rotors for rotation about axes parallel to and equally radially spaced from the axis of the associated rotor, the axes of `the panels otleach set being-angularly spaced by ninety degrees of arc, the turning means for each alternate rotor being operable in advance of the rotation of the intervening rotors to establish clearance between their respective panels, and means for a rotating the panels of each vrotor in planetary motion about the axis L,thereof as the rotor turns.

4. A changing sign comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors journaled thereon for rotation about :parallel axes, a set of four Ypanels journaled on each or said rotors for rotation about axes parallel to and -equally radially spaced from the axis of the associated rotor, the axes of the panels of each set being angularly spaced by ninety degrees ot arc,

means for intermittently turning said rotors through one or more quarter turns, means for rotating the panels of each rotor in Vplanetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns, and means operable upon comf pletion of operation of said rotating means and engageable with panels of adjacent rotors to move them accurately into alinement.

5. A changing sign comprising' a frame, a

Phlmlty 0f lOtOls journaled thereon for rol:

tation about parallel axes, a set of four panels j ournaled on each of said rotors for rotation about axes parallel to and equally radially spaced from the axis of the associated rotor, the axes of the panels of eachset being angularly spaced by ninety degrees of arc, means for intermittently lturning Vsaid rotors through one or more quarter turns, the turning means for each alternate rotor being operable in advance of the rotation of the inter- 'i vening rotors, means operable upon -completion of operation of said vrotating means and engageable With panels of adjacent rotors to move them accurately into alinement, :and means for rotating the panels of each rotor in' planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns.

6. A changing sign comprising la frame, a plurality of rotors journaled thereon for rotation about parallel axes, a set-'of ourpanels journaled on each of said rotors for rotation about axes parallel to and equally radially spaced from the axis of the associated rotor,

Ythe axes of the panels Vof each rset being .angularly spaced by ninety degrees of farc., means for intermittently turning said rotors through one or more quarter turns, Ameans for rotating the panels ofeach rotor in planetary motion about the axis `thereoic as the .rotor turns, and -means operable upon each completion o operation of sai-d rotor-turning means for accurately alining -tWo panels of each rotor With the corresponding panels of the other rotor.

7. A changing sign comprising a frame, la plurality of rotors journaled thereon for rotation about parallel axes, a plurality of panels journaled on each of vsaid rotors for rotation about axes spaced lat equal radial.

distances from and at equal angular distances about the axis ot the associated rotor, means Jfor intermittently turning said rotors through one or more arcs equal tothe angular separation of the axes of said panels.

means for rotating the panels of each Yrotor in planetary motion about the axis .thereof as the rotor turns, and means operable upon each completion of operation =of said rotor- Aturning means for accurately alining atleast one panel of each rotor with the corresponding panels of the other rotors.

8. A changing sign comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors mounted on said frame for rotation about parallel axes, a plurality of clamps journaled on each of said rotors, means for turning each of said rotors, means for rotating the clamps of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns, and a panel carried by each of said clamps, each panel being releasably eng gaged by its clamp to permit interchange of said panels.

9. A changing sign comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors' ournaled thereon for rotation about parallle axes, a set of four clamps journaled on each of said rotors for rotation about axes parallel to and equally radially spaced from the axis of the associated rotor, the axes of the clamps of each set being angularly spaced by ninety degrees of arc, means for turning said rotors, means for rotating the clamps of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns, and a panel carried by each of said clamps, each panel being releasably engaged by its clamp to permit interchange of said panels.

l0. A changing sign comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors journaled on said frame for rotation about parallel axes, each of said rotors comprising a central shaft, upper and lower heads carried thereby, and a set of four clamps journaled on each head, each of said clamps being axially alined with the corresponding clamp on the other head, and a panel Carried by each pair of alined clamps, means for rotating all of said rotors, and means for rotating the clamps and panels of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns.

ll. A changing sign comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors journaled on said frame for rotation about parallel axes, each of said rotors comprising a central shaft having a telescopic tube interposed therein, upper and lower heads carried thereby, and a set of four clamps ournaled on each of said heads, each of said clamps being axially alined with the corresponding clamp of the other head, and a panel carried by each pair of alined clamps, each panel being releasably engaged by its clamp to permit interchange of said panels, means for rotating all of said rotors, and means for rotating the clamps and panels of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns.

l2. A changing sign comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors ournaled on said frame for rotation about parallel axes, each of said rotors comprising a central shaft having a telescopic` tube interposed therein, upper and lower heads carried thereby, and a set of four clamps journaled on each of said heads, each of said clamps being axially alined with the corresponding clamp of the other head, and a panel carried by each pair of alined clamps, each panel being releasably engaged by its clamp to permit interchange of said panels, means for intermittently rotating all of said rotors through one or more quarter turns, and means for rotating the clamps and panels of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns.

13. A changing sign comprising an expansible frame, a plurality of rotors journaled on said frame for rotation about parallel axes, each of said rotors comprising a central shaft having a telescopic tube interposed therein, upper and lower heads carried thereby, and a set of four clamps journaled on each of said heads, each of said clamps being axially alined with the corresponding clamp of the other head, and a panel carried by each pair of alined clamps, each panel being releasably engaged by its clamp to permit interchange of said panels, means for intermittently rotating all of said rotors through one or more quarter turns, and means for rotating the clamps and panels of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns.

14. A changing sign comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors journaled thereon for rotation about parallel axes, a set of four panels journaled on each of said rotors for rotation about axes parallel to and equally radially spaced from the axis of the assooiated rotor, the axes of the panels of each set being angularly spaced by ninety degrees of'arc, means for turning said rotors, means for rot-ating the panels of each rotor in planetary motion about the axis thereof as the rotor turns, said panel-rotating means being adjustable to arrange the panels of each rotor with respect to the panels of the other rotors, and releasable means for clamping said panel-rotating means in selected position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication.

EDWARD RAVES.

lil) 

